Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For A Dog Bite
Question: I was at a dog park and a dog licked my leg. I have a red bump (not sure if it was a skin abnormality or a bug bite) where I was licked. Is there any worry about Rabies? The dog seemed healthy and happy. I didn't think to ask the owners at the time. So I can't track them down to make sure the dog was ok. I have read that rabies can transmit when an infected dog's salivia is exposed to a wound or broken skin, does this place on my skin qualigy as broken skin or a wound for rabies
Brief Answer:
Anti-Rabies vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, I have gone through your question and I understand your concerns. The rabies can be transmitted from dog's saliva if there is any discontinuation ( crack , scratch, wound) of the skin. since you are not sure if the dog has bitten you or not , also the photo you sent is inconclusive whether there is a crack in your skin or not and since you can not track the dog to know whether it is vaccinated or not, I would recommend that you take the anti-rabies vaccine on starting today and continue on weekly doses for continuous 5 doses . This will be much safer as rabies is a very serious and fatal disease , it can only be prevented through the vaccine as once the symptoms appear , no treatement is available . I hope I answered your question.
Anti-Rabies vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, I have gone through your question and I understand your concerns. The rabies can be transmitted from dog's saliva if there is any discontinuation ( crack , scratch, wound) of the skin. since you are not sure if the dog has bitten you or not , also the photo you sent is inconclusive whether there is a crack in your skin or not and since you can not track the dog to know whether it is vaccinated or not, I would recommend that you take the anti-rabies vaccine on starting today and continue on weekly doses for continuous 5 doses . This will be much safer as rabies is a very serious and fatal disease , it can only be prevented through the vaccine as once the symptoms appear , no treatement is available . I hope I answered your question.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
The dog did not bite me, it just licked me I sent pictures of the area it licked me
Brief Answer:
It is recommended to take the vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir,
even if the dog did not bite you , there is no way to be. 100% sure that the saliva of the dog did not come in contact with a tiny crack of your skin that could get infected with Rabies. that is why I recommend that you take the anti-rabies vaccine.
I hope you find this helpful
It is recommended to take the vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir,
even if the dog did not bite you , there is no way to be. 100% sure that the saliva of the dog did not come in contact with a tiny crack of your skin that could get infected with Rabies. that is why I recommend that you take the anti-rabies vaccine.
I hope you find this helpful
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I went to my doc this am and he said there was no break in the skin that was a calcium deposit. I also managed to find who the owners were and they said the dog was vaccinated
Brief Answer:
No need for vaccination
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, since under close inspection there was no break in your skin and since the dog is vaccinated then there is no need for anti rabies vaccine . I hope I answered your question.
No need for vaccination
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir, since under close inspection there was no break in your skin and since the dog is vaccinated then there is no need for anti rabies vaccine . I hope I answered your question.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
